The chances of a Manny Pacquiao v Floyd Mayweather rematch could hinge on one last fight for either boxer after the Filipino announced he would probably retire next year fight to focus on a career in politics.
“I think I’m ready [to retire]. I’ve been in boxing for more than 20 years,” Pacquiao, 36, said in an interview on the local ABS-CBN television network. “I prayed to God for guidance and I am happy about it.”
Pacquiao, a congressman since 2010, lost a unanimous decision in May to the unbeaten American Floyd Mayweather and announced this week he was bidding for a senate seat in national elections to be held in May next year.
“I will have to give up the other things that require my attention. If you are a senator, your focus should only be your job and your family,” he said in the interview reported by AFP.
Before the elections, Pacquiao said he planned to climb into the ring that has made him one of the world’s richest sportsmen for what would probably be one last time.
He has yet to pick his next opponent, and though he said he was not ruling out a rematch with Mayweather, the American has already announced his retirement. However, he is also expected to take one last fight next year in an attempt to break Rocky Marciano’s record of retiring with a record of 49-0.
Pacquiao pledged he would be a “serious” senator should he win in May. “I will not be absent because the whole country would be my responsibility,” he said.
He turned professional when he was 16 years old and has won 57 fights, including 38 knockouts while losing six, three of them knockouts. Two other bouts were drawn.
